Esko’s Upset Run Comes To An End

June 2

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

The Esko Eskomos amazing run in the section 7AA boy’s baseball playoffs came to an end on Tuesday when the Eskomos fell in the double elimination final four tournament to the Cloquet Lumberjacks
with a score of 2-1. Esko had defeated the Two Harbors Agates earlier Tuesday by a score of 2-1.

Esko’s string of upsets ended, but not before they displayed great effort and the ability to
never say quit. In the opening round,
the Eskomos
had to beat Moose Lake–Willow River, a team that handled Esko easily a week before. But this time it was the Eskomos coming away with the 2-0 win. Esko then went on to upset the number one seeded International Falls Broncos by a score of 7-1 to move into the double elimination final four.

After falling to Cloquet last week, the Eskomos needed to defeat Two Harbors to continue in the tournament. The Eskomos used a strong pitching performance form Matt Tengesdahl as the Eskomos shut out the Agates 2-0. Esko’s Steve Lewis got a one out double in the fourth inning, which was followed by a RBI double by Ryan Vang. Vang would later score on a RBI single by Jamie Stokes, for the only two runs Esko would need. Tengesdahl gave up six hits, while the Esko defense used the double play to get out of three innings in the win for the Eskomos.

With the 2-0 win over the Agates, the Eskomos went on rematch the Jacks. It was Esko jumping out in front first when they scored one run in the top of the first. Steve Lewis scored on a RBI single from Tengesdahl to give the Eskomos a early 1-0 lead, which they held until the Lumberjack’s scored two runs in the third.
Cloquet held on to win this close contest by a score of 2-1.

Mitch Reuer gave up six hit in the loss. He also had six strikeouts. Esko’s two hits in the first inning were the only hits they had in the entire game.
Cloquet moved on to face Mora in the section championship game. Esko finishes the season 13-11 overall.

Northland Sports Online would like to wish the eight graduating seniors on the roster the best of luck in all of their future endeavors. Brett Johnson, Steve Lewis, Aaron Semerau, Jamie Stokes, Mitch Reuer, Ryan Vang, Matt Tengesdahl, and Dan Linder.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com